Best Frontier Movies
1. The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Michael Mann‘s adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s novel is set during the French and Indian War.
Why it’s great:
- Daniel Day-Lewis’s intense performance as Hawkeye
- Spectacular action sequences and cinematography
- Sweeping score by Trevor Jones and Randy Edelman
2. The Revenant (2015)
Alejandro González Iñárritu’s film follows a frontiersman’s quest for survival and revenge in the 1820s wilderness.
Why it’s great:
- Leonardo DiCaprio‘s physically demanding, Oscar-winning performance
- Emmanuel Lubezki’s stunning natural-light cinematography
- Intense, visceral depiction of frontier survival
3. Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
Sydney Pollack’s film follows a Mexican War veteran who becomes a mountain man in the Colorado wilderness.
Why it’s great:
- Robert Redford‘s understated performance as Johnson
- Beautiful cinematography of the Rocky Mountains
- Thoughtful exploration of man’s relationship with nature
4. The New World (2005)
Terrence Malick’s poetic retelling of the Pocahontas story and the founding of Jamestown.
Why it’s great:
- Lyrical, dreamlike cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki
- Nuanced performances from Colin Farrell and Q’orianka Kilcher
- Unique blend of historical drama and philosophical meditation
5. Meek’s Cutoff (2010)
Kelly Reichardt’s minimalist Western follows a group of settlers on the Oregon Trail in 1845.
Why it’s great:
- Michelle Williams’ strong lead performance
- Realistic, unglamorous depiction of frontier life
- Subversion of traditional Western gender roles and narratives.